The ancestry of the name Broadwade dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived near a wide body of water; this may have been either a river or a lake. The surname Broadwade may also be derived from residence in the old parish of Broadwater, which now a suburb of Worthing in Sussex. This parish was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, under the name of Bradewatre. This land, which was held by William de Braose at that time, was the site of a church and a mill.

Broadwade Early Origins

The surname Broadwade was first found in Sussex, at Broadwater, originally a parish, in the union of Preston and in the hundred of Brightford. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. St. Mary's Church, Broadwater, is a Church of England parish church that is listed in the Domesday Book. It is thought to have been built over and ancient Saxon church as in 1939, a Saxon doorway in the south wall of the chancel was discovered. Saxon doorjambs and window arches are preserved within the walls of the present tower.

Broadwade Spelling Variations

Broadwade Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Broadwade have been found, including Broadwater, Bradewatre, Brawatere, Brawdwater, Bradwater, Broadwatter and many more.

Broadwade Early History

Broadwade Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Broadwade research. Another 419 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1500, 1590, 1610, 1623, 1290 and 1349 are included under the topic Early Broadwade History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Broadwade Early Notables (pre 1700)

Broadwade Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Broadwade Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Broadwade, or a variant listed above: Hugh Broadwater, who came to Virginia in 1663; John Broadwater, who arrived in America in 1671; as well asThomas Broadwater who arrived in Jamaica in 1684..

Other References

Shaw, William A. Knights of England A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of all the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, Ireland and Knights Bachelors 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print. (ISBN 080630443X).

The Broadwade Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Broadwade Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.